Ribbon control apparatus



Dec. 31, 1968 G- R. SPALENY RIBBON CONTROL APPARATUS Sheet Original Filed Jan. 19 1966 INVENTOR SPALENY R E G W E G ATTORNEY Y N E L A P S R G RIBBON CONTROL APPARATUS Sheet 2 Original Filed Jan. 19. 1966 INVENTOR. GEORGE R. SPALENY ATTORNEY Dec. 31, 1968 G. R. SPALENY 3,419,125

RIBBON CONTROL APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 19, 1966 Sheet g" of 5 FIG.9/ 7 M2 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,419,125 RIBBON CONTROL APPARATUS George R. Spaleny, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Standard Register Company, Dayton, ()hio, a corporation of Ohio Original application Jan. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 521,699, now Patent No. 3,361,242, dated Jan. 2, 1968. Divided and this application Sept. 5, 1967, Ser. No. 665,585

6 Claims. (Cl. 197-165) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for winding, for unwinding, and for automatically controlling reversal of direction of movement of a ribbon carried by the spools in a typewriter, or printer, or the like. The ribbon is carried by a pair of spools which are substantially coaxial or in adjacent relationship. The winding and unwinding of each spool is accomplished by unidirectional rotary drive means.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 521,699, filed Jan. 19, 1966, now Patent No. 3,361,242 issued Jan. 2, 1968.

Background of the invention In the past, numerous types of ribbon control mechanisms have been devised. However, these mechanisms have ordinarily included a pair of spools disposed in spacedapart relationship and rotatable about substantially parallel axes. Such mechanisms have been relatively complex and have required considerable space. In most types of apparatus it is desirable to employ ribbon control mechanism which requires a minimum space. Also, it is frequently desirable to employ ribbon control mechanism in which the spool members are in adjacent relationship and coaxial.

An object of this invention is to provide novel mechanism for controlling the operation of a ribbon member which is used in providing printed information.

Another object of this invention is to provide such mechanism can be produced in a relatively small and compact size.

Another object of this invention is to provide such ribbon control mechanism in which automatically reversible wind and unwind spools may be disposed in adjacent coaxial relationship and in which the spools are driven by common motor means.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of the invention, combinations thereof, the method of manufacture, and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

Brief description 0] the drawing FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing ribbon operator mechanism of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective exploded view of ribbon operator mechanism of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is a side view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of a portion of the ribbon operator mechanism of this invention.

FIGURE 4 is a side view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of a portion of the ribbon operator mechanism shown in FIGURE 3, in another position of operation thereof.

FIGURE 5 is a side view similar to FIGURE 4 but showing another position of operation of the parts illustrated.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of a portion of the ribbon operator mechanism of this invention.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 7-7 of FIGURE 6.

3,419,125 Patented Dec. 31, 1968 ice FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 88 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the ribbon operator mechanism of this invention.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIGURE 9 but showing another position of operation of parts illustrated.

Detailed description of the invention As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, a ribbon 138 has a portion thereof positioned below a print wheel 118, which is carried by a shaft 104. The ribbon 138 has a portion thereof carried by a spool 140 and a portion thereof carried by a spool 142, one end portion of the ribbon 138 being carried by the spool 140 and one end portion of the ribbon 138 being carried by the spool 142.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the ribbon 138 extends from the spool 140, between a pair of fingers 144 of an arm 146. The ribbon 138 partially encompasses a stud 148 and then partially encompasses a stud 150. The studs 148 and 150 are carried by a support structure 41 and extend normally therefrom. The ribbon 138 then encompasses a stud 152 as the ribbon 138 makes one convolution about the stud 152. The stud 152 is attached to the support structure 41 and extends angularly therefrom. The ribbon 138 extends from the stud 152 to a stud 154. The ribbon 138 partially encompasses the stud 154 and extends to a stud 156. The ribbon 138 partially encompasses the stud 156 and then extends to the print wheel 118. The ribbon 138 has a portion shown directly below the print wheel 118. The ribbon 138 then paritally encompasses a stud 157.

The ribbon 138 then extends to a stud 158 which the ribbon 138 partially encompasses. The ribbon 138 then extends to a stud 160 which the ribbon 138 partially encompasses. The ribbon 138 then extends between a pair of fingers 162 of an arm 164 and then to the spool 142.

The studs 150, 154, 156, 157, 158, and 160 are carried by the support structure 41 and extend substanially normally therefrom.

The arms 146 and 164 are pivotally supported upon a pin 166 which is carried by the support structure 41. Clips 167, shown in FIGURE 2, at the ends of the pin 166 maintain the arms 146 and 164 upon the pin 166.

The arm 146 has a brake shoe 168 protruding therefrom, the brake shoe 168 being engageable with the spool 142 by pivotal movement of the arm 146. The arm 164 has a brake shoe 169 protruding therefrom, which is engageable with the spool 140 by pivotal movement of the arm 164.

The spools 140 and 142 encompass a shaft 170, best shown in FIGURES 2, 9, and 10, which is attached to the support structure 41 by means of nuts 172, as shown in FIGURES 9 and 10. Thus, the spools 140 and 142 are coaxial and in adjacent relationship. Adjacent the support structure 41 and rotatably supported by the shaft 170 is a ratchet wheel174 which has an axial extension 176 secured thereto. The ratchet wheel 174 also has a sleeve 178 which extends along the 'shaft 170.

The spool 142 is rotatably supported upon the sleeve 178. The sleeve 178 has attached thereto a disc or carrier member 180 which is coaxial therewith and which is disposed intermediate the spool 142 and the spool 140. The disc 180 has two pairs of spaced-apart studs 182 which are slidably engaged by a support member or slide plate 184. The slide plate 184 freely encompasses the shaft 170 and is movable transversely with respect thereto as the slide plate 184 is carried by the disc 180 and is guided by the studs 182. The studs 182 also extend into holes 185 of a disc 187 for rotation of the disc 187 with the disc 180. The slide plate 184 is between the disc 180 and 187.

The slide plate 184 carries a pivotally movable pawl 186 which is biased by a spring 188. A part of the pawl 186 extends through a notch 190 in the disc 180 and is adapted to engage a toothed wheel 192 which is secured to the spool 142, coaxial therewith. The toothed wheel 192 is disposed intermediate the spool 142 and the disc 180. The slide plate 184 also carries a pivotally movable pawl 194 which is biased by a spring 196. The pawl 194 is adapted to engage a toothed wheel 198 which is disposed intermediate the slide plate 184 and the disc 187. The toothed wheel 198 has an axially extending pin 200 which extends through the disc 187 and into the spool 140 for rotation therewith.

The disc 180 also has a plurality of studs 202, each of which supports a leaf spring 204. A clip 205 maintains the position of the spring 204 upon its respective stud 202. Each leaf spring 204 extends into a notch 206 of the slide plate 184. The leaf springs 204 may be considered as overcenter springs and urge movement of the slide plate 184 in a transverse direction with respect to the shaft 170. FIGURE 3 shows the slide plate 184 as it is urged into a position in which the pawl 194 is in engagement with the toothed wheel 198. FIGURE 5 shows the slide plate 184 as it is urged into a position in which the pawl 186 is in engagement with the toothed wheel 192.

A retainer 210 and a clip 212 at the end of the shaft 170 retain the elements carried thereby thereupon.

An elongate ratchet arm 213 is engageable with the ratchet wheel 174 for rotative movement thereof. A resilient leaf 207 is attached to the support structure 41 by means of screws 208. The resilient leaf 207 engages the ratchet wheel 174 and prevents reverse rotative movement thereof. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the ratchet arm 213 is pivotally attached by means of a pin 209 to a tail piece 211 which is attached to a shaft 215 for oscillatory rotative movement therewith. A spring 214 is attached to the ratchet arm 213, intermediate the ends thereof and to a stud 216 and urges the arm 213 toward the ratchet wheel 174.

A striker arm 218 is shown as being integrally attached to the tail piece 211. The striker arm 218 is movable with rotation of the shaft 215. The striker arm 218 has an engagement portion 220 which is disposed directly below the print wheel 118. A portion of the ribbon 138 is disposed between the engagement portion 220 of the striker arm 218 and the print wheel 118.

Any suitable rotary solenoid or stepping motor 221 or the like, illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURES 1 and 3, is mechanically connected to the shaft 215 for rotative movement thereof.

Any suitable business form or sheet 222 upon which information is to be printed is shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 positioned between the ribbon 138 and the engagement portion 220 of the striker arm 218. The business form or sheet 222 is adapted to be supported and to be movable by any suitable means not shown, for positioning desired portions thereof between the print wheel 118 and the striker arm 218 for printing upon the business form or sheet 222.

The print wheel 118 has a plurality of characters thereupon. The print wheel 118 is rotatively moved by any suitable means, not shown, to position a character thereof in a location adjacent the form or sheet 222. Then the stepping motor or rotary solenoid 221 is operated and causes rotative movement of the striker arm 218 throughout a portion of a revolution so that the engagement portion 220 thereof moves upwardly, as shown in FIGURE 3, and engages the lower surface of the form or sheet 222 immediately below the print wheel 118.

Thus, the impact of the striker arm 218 forces the portion of the form or sheet 222 which is directly below the print wheel 118 into engagement with the portion of the ribbon 138 which is between the print wheel 118 and the form 222. Thus, the character on the print wheel 118 which is adjacent the ribbon 138 is printed onto the form or sheet 222.

Rotative movement of the striker arm 218 throughout a portion of a revolution, as shown in FIGURE 3, causes the tail piece 211 thereof to move downwardly. Thus, the end of the ratchet arm 213 which is pivotally attached to the tail piece 211 is moved downwardly, as the spring 214 urges the midportion of the ratchet arm 213 upwardly. Thus, the ratchet arm is moved in a direction away from the ratchet wheel 174, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, as the spring 214 maintains the ratchet arm 213 in engagement with the ratchet wheel 174. Thus, the ratchet arm 213 rotatively moves the ratchet wheel 174 very slightly at the moment immediately following engagement of the striker arm 218 with the business form 222. Each succeeding operation of the striker arm 218 causes such movement of the ratchet arm 213.

As discussed above, the ratchet wheel 174 shown in FIGURES 2-10 has attached thereto the disc 180 for rotation therewith. The disc or carrier 180 carries the slide plate 184 which supports the pawls 186 and 194. FIGURE 3 shown the pawl 194 in engagement with the toothed wheel 198. Thus, rotative movement of the ratchet wheel 174 causes the pawl 194 to rotatively move the toothed wheel 198, as illustrated in FIGURE 3. The pin 200 attaches the toothed wheel 198 to the spool so that the spool 140 rotatively moves with rotative movement of the toothed wheel 198. Thus, the ribbon 138 is drawn slightly further upon the spool 140. Thus, each operation of the ratchet wheel 174, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, winds the ribbon 138 a slight degree further upon the spool 140 and unwinds the ribbon 138 a slight degree further from the spool 142.

FIGURE 3 shows a bead 250 which is attached to the ribbon 138. As the end portion of the ribbon 138 carried by the spool 142 unwinds therefrom, the bead 250 is carried by the ribbon 138 toward the fingers 162 of the arm 164, directly behind the arm 146 shown in FIGURE 3. When the bead 250 reaches the fingers 162 of the arm 164, the bead 250 engages the fingers 162 and further movement of the bead 250, with movement of the ribbon 138, causes pivotal movement of the arm 164, as illustrated in FIGURE 4. When the arm 164 pivotally moves, the brake shoe 169 is moved into engagement with the spool 140, as illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 9. Thus, rotative movement of the spool 140 is prevented.

However, as the ratchet wheel 174 is further rotated by the ratchet arm 213, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, the disc is rotatively moved through the attachment thereof to the ratchet wheel 174 through the sleeve 178. Thus, the pressure of the pawl 194 upon the toothed wheel 198 increases as the pawl 194 urges rotation of the toothed wheel 198 and the spool 140. However, due to the fact that the spool 140 is braked by the brake shoe 169 and cannot rotate, increased pressure upon the pawl 194 forces movement of the pawl 194 in a direction away from the toothed wheel 198. Due to the fact that the pawl 194 is carried by the slide plate 184, such forces upon the pawl 194 move the slide plate 184 in a direction which moves the pawl 194 away from the toothed wheel 198. Such movement of the slide plate 184 moves the pawl 186 into engagement with the toothed wheel 192 which is attached to the spool 142. Therefore, the spool 142 is rotatively driven by rotative movement of the ratchet wheel 174. Thus, the direction of movement of the ribbon 138 is reversed, as illustrated in FIGURES 5, 7, and 10.

When reverse direction of movement of the ribbon 138 occurs, the bead 250 moves in a direction away from the fingers 162 of the arm 164 and pressure upon the arm 164 is released so that pressure of the brake shoe 169 upon the spool 140 is released. Thus, the brake shoe 169 is released from engagement with the spool 140. Therefore, continued rotative movement of the ratchet wheel 174 causes the ribbon 138 to be wound upon the spool 142 and the spool 140 freely rotates to permit the ribbon 138 to be unwound therefrom.

Therefore, as the ratchet arm 213 continues to cause rotative movement of the ratchet wheel 174, the ratchet wheel 174 always rotates in the same direction. However, the spools 140 and 142 driven thereby are reversed in direction of rotation thereof when necessary. Automatic reversal of the movement of the ribbon 138 occurs when a bead 250 which is adjacent each end portion of the ribbon 138 moves a sutficient distance from its respective spool 140 and 142.

It is noted that the ribbon 138 as it extends from the spool 142 is spaced a given distance from the support structure 41 as it passes below the print Wheel 118. The ribbon 138 as it extends from the spool 140 is spaced a greater distance from the support structure 41. As discussed above, the ribbon 138 has one convolution thereof encompassing the stud 152 which is disposed at an angle with respect to the support structure 41. Thus, the ribbon 138 has a portion thereof extending from the stud 152 directly in alignment with spool 140. The ribbon 138 has a portion thereof extending from the stud 152 directly in alignment with the spool 142. Thus, the stud 152 provides means by which the ribbon 138 may be aligned with both of the spools 140 and 142, even though the spools 140 and 142 are in spaced apart coaxial positions.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. In a business machine, apparatus for operation of an inked ribbon comprising:

support structure,

a first rotary spool and a second rotary spoolcarried by the support structure, the spools being in coaxial relationship,

rotary drive means disposed in coaxial relationship with the respect to the spools, the rotary drive means including a carrier member,

a pawl support member carried by the carrier member for rotation therewith, the pawl support member being linearly transversely movable with respect to the axis of rotation of the carrier member,

a plurality of pawls pivotally carried in spaced-apart relationship by the pawl support member, there being a first pawl and a second pawl, the first pawl being engageable with the first spool, the second pawl being engageable with the second spool,

tooth means connected to each of the spools,

the pawl support member being linearly transversely movable with respect to the axis of rotation of the carrier member to cause engagement of the first pawl with the tooth means which is attached to the first spool for rotative movement of the first spool with rotative movement of the rotary drive means, the pawl support member being linearly transversely movable with respect to the axis of rotation of the carrier to cause engagement of the second pawl with the tooth means which is attached to the second spool for rotative movement of the second spool with rotative movement of the drive means, the spools being adapted to support a ribbon having parts wound thereupon,

brake means movably carried by the support structure adjacent the first spool and the second spool and engageable therewith, the brake means being movable into engagement with the first spool for braking the first spool by preventing rotative movement thereof, the brake means being movable into engagement with the second spool for braking the second spool by preventing rotative movement thereof,

abutment means carried by the ribbon and engageable with the brake means for movement of the brake means into engagement with the first spool for braking the first spool, and

means connected to the ribbon for operating the brake means for braking the second spool,

braking of the first spool during driving operation of the drive means causing the application of a force upon the first pawl so that the first pawl moves the pawl support member and disengages the first pawl from the tooth means connected to the first spool while engaging the second pawl with the tooth means connected to the second spool for changing the drive operation from the first spool to the second spool, braking of the second spool during driving operation of the drive means causing the application of a force upon the second pawl so that the second pawl moves the pawl support member and disengages the second pawl from the tooth means connected to the second spool while engaging the first pawl with the tooth means connected to the first spool for changing the drive operation from the second spool to the first spool.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the brake means comprises a pair of arm members pivotally attached to the support structure, there being a first arm member and a second arm member,

the first arm member having a brake shoe which is engageable with the first spool by pivotal movement of the first arm member,

the second arm member having a brake shoe which is engageable with the second spool by pivotal movement of the second arm member,

the first arm member having an engagement portion through which a portion of a ribbon may extend,

the second arm member having an engagement portion through which a portion of a ribbon may extend,

movement of abutment means carried by the ribbon against said engagement portion of the first arm member causing pivotal movement of the first arm member so that the brake shoe thereof engages the first spool and brakes the first spool, movement of abutement means carried by the ribbon against said engagement portion of the second arm member causing pivotal movement of the second arm member so that the brake shoe thereof engages the second spool and brakes the second spool.

3. In a business machine, apparatus for operation of an inked ribbon comprising:

a shaft,

a drive member mounted upon the shaft for rotative movement with respect thereto, the drive member having a ratchet wheel portion and a sleeve portion,

a disc attached to the sleeve portion and spaced from the ratchet wheel portion and rotatable therewith,

a first spool, the first spool being rotatably supported upon the sleeve portion of the drive member intermediate the disc and the ratchet wheel portion thereof, a first toothed wheel, the first toothed wheel being carried by the first spool and facing the disc,

a slide member carried by the disc and linearly transversely movable with respect to the axis of rotation of the disc,

means including resilient means connecting the slide member to the disc,

a first pawl pivotally carried by the slide member, the first pawl being engageable with the first toothed wheel,

a second spool rotatably supported upon the shaft,

a second toothed wheel, the second toothed wheel being supported upon the shaft intermediate the second spool and the slide member and being connected to the second spool for rotation therewith,

a second pawl pivotally carried by the slide member at a portion thereof which is opposite the first pawl, the second pawl being engageable with the second toothed wheel, and

a first arm and a second arm pivotally supported adjacent the shaft, each arm having a ribbon guide portion, the first arm having a brake shoe engageable with the first spool. upon pivotal movement of the first arm to prevent rotation of the first spool, the second arm having a brake shoe engageable with the second spool upon pivotal movement of the second arm to prevent rotation of the second spool,

a support member encompassing the shaft and linearly transversely movable with respect thereto,

resilient means joined to the carrier member and to the support member and urging linear movement the first spool being adapted to carry a portion of a of the support member in either direction of moveribbon which extends therefrom through the ribment thereof, 'bon guide portion of the second arm, said portion means connecting the support member to the carrier of the ribbon having abutment means carried theremember for rotation therewith and for guiding the by and engageable with the guide portion of the linear transverse movement thereof, second arm for causing pivotal movement of the 10 a plurality of pawl members pivotally carried by the second arm for engagement of the brake shoe theresupport member, of with the second spool, a second spool, the second spool encompassing the the second spool being adapted to carry a portion of shaft and rotatable with respect thereto,

a ribbon which extends therefrom through the riba tooth means connected to the first sp l, and bon guide portion of the first arm, said portion of tooth means connected to the second spool, the ribbon having abutment means engageable with the support member being positioned with respect to the guide portion of the first arm for causing pivotal the shaft so that said pawl members are selectively movement of the first arm for engagement of the alternatively in engagement with the tooth means brake shoe thereof with the first spool, connected to said first spool and said second spool, one of the pawls being in engagement with one of the the spool which has the tooth means which is entoothed wheels to that rotation of the drive member e s y a p l thus being rotatively m d with causes one of the pawls to drive its respective rotative movement of the carrier member, the tooth toothed wheel for rotative movement of its remeans of the spool which is driven by the pawl spective spool, braking operation upon one of the be ng continuously engaged by the pawl during rospools causing its respective pawl to force the slide tative movement of the carrier member. member to move linearly transversely from engage- 6. In a business machine, apparatus for operation of ment with its respective toothed wheel as the resilan k d ribbon comprising: ient means causes movement of the slide member Shaft s, so that the other pawl i mo d i to engagement a rotary drive member encompassing the shaft means with its respective toothed wheel for reversing the nd r tata le with respect thereto, movement of the ribbon from one spool to the other a pp member encompassing the Shaft means and spool, as rotation of the drive member continues. r n r ely movable with respect thereto, 4 In a business machine, apparatus for operation of connector means connecting the pp member to an inked ribbon comprising: the drive member for rotation therewith and for a plurality of rotary spool members, linear transverse movement of the support member a rotary d i means, with respect to the rotary drive member, the rotary spool members and the rotary drive means a plurality of Spool members encompassing the Shaft being in coaxial relationship, means and rotatable with respect thereto, tooth means connected to each of the spool members, drive means Connected to each of the Spool members, the rotary drive means including support means movand able linearly transversely with respect to the axis drive means carried y the pp member and IIIOV- f rotation th reof able into engagement with the drive means conengagement means ied b th Support means, h nected to any one of the spool members by linear support means being linearly movable in one direciransvefsfl movement of the pp member With tion to cause engagement of a portion of the en- TeSPect to the shaft means, the Spool thus being gagement means with the tooth means which is conp y joined to the pp member rotation nected to one of the spool members for rotation of of the sP001 member with rotation of the pp th spool b r i h o i f h rotary d i member and with rotation of the rotary drive memmeans, the support means being linearly movable in the opposite direction to cause engagement of a portion of the engagement means with the tooth means References Cited which is connected to another of the spool mem- UNITED STATES PATENTS bers for rotation of the s 01 member with rota tion of the rotary drive f and 943,624 12/1909 Craig et al. 197162 resilient means in engagement with the support means 1788376 1/1931 Barrett 197 160 urging linear movement thereof in either direction 2069492 2/1937 Herfry 197 153 of movement thereof 6 933 Bena 197-165 5. In a business machine, apparatus for operation of 2747718 5/1956 May 197*170 X an inked ribbon comprising; 2,849,096 8/ 8 Markes 197-451 2,883,029 4/1959 Gray 197-162 a shaft,

a drive wheel mounted upon the shaft,

a sleeve encompassing the shaft and attached to the drive wheel tor rotation therewith,

a carrier member attached to the sleeve for rotation therewith,

a first spool, the first spool encompassing the sleeve and rotatable with respect thereto,

ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

ERNEST T. WRIGHT, ]R., Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

